US Congress passes legislation on cyber security agency in DHS

The United States House of Representatives has voted unanimously to pass legislation creating the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The CISA Act (H.R. 3359), which passed the Senate in October and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law, would reorganise DHS’ National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) into a new agency and prioritise its mission as the Federal leader for cyber and physical infrastructure security.

“Today’s vote is a significant step to stand up a federal government cyber security agency,” said Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen. “The cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving, and we need to ensure we’re properly positioned to defend America’s infrastructure from threats, digital and physical. It was time to reorganise and operationalise NPPD into the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. ”

“The CISA Act passing Congress represents real progress in the national effort to improve our collective efforts in cyber security,” said NPPD Under Secretary Christopher Krebs. “Elevating the cyber security mission within the Department of Homeland Security, streamlining our operations, and giving NPPD a name that reflects what it actually does will help better secure the nation’s critical infrastructure and cyber platforms. The changes will also improve the Department’s ability to engage with industry and government stakeholders and recruit top cyber security talent.”

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